Silly Beer Laws by U.S. State - From A - M

The Silly Beer Laws by U.S. State in the list below are, by no means, a complete list of laws governing beer or alcoholic beverages. They are merely a broad illustration of the range of regulations covered, from the ridiculous to the mundane.

Alabama Cities and counties can choose to be "wet" or "dry" - 26 of 67 counties do not allow alcohol sales...A statewide ban on draft beer sales requires that cities and counties must take Legislative action to lift the ban in each jurisdiction. However, a section of the law allows draft beer "in rural communities with a predominantly foreign population. . . in accordance with the habit and customs of the people of any such rural community"...Twenty-three counties and cities have abolished the ban against Draft Beer in their districts...Likewise, Sunday alcohol sales are only allowed if a referendum has been passed...Ban on off-premises sale of alcohol on Sundays.

Alaska In Fairbanks, AK, it is illegal to serve alcoholic beverages to moose.

ArizonaAn obviously intoxicated person can only stay for 30 minutes at the establishment that recognized he was drunk.

ArkansasBan on off-premises sales of Alcohol on Sundays

CaliforniaIt is illegal for producers of alcoholic beverages to list the names of retailers or restaurants that sell their products, whether it is in advertising or in newsletters...It is illegal to display alcoholic beverages within five feet of a cash register in a store that sells both alcohol and motor fuel...A server can be convicted of selling alcohol to a minor if the minor uses a false or altered ID to obtain the alcohol.

ColoradoIt is illegal to ride a horse while under the influence...It is also illegal 1) for liquor stores to sell food and 2) for food stores to sell alcohol with an ABW greater than 3.2%. Beer with 3.2% ABW is called "low point beer." Beer with higher alcohol levels can be purchased in liquor stores...The sale of alcohol is prohibited on Election Day....Ban on off-premises sale of alcohol on Sundays.

ConnecticutBeer cannot be sold after 8 p.m...Pharmacists who use alcohol in compounding prescriptions must have a specific state license to do so.

DelawareAllows parents, guardians, or legal age spouse to furnish alcohol to minors in the private home of any said family member for medical, religious, or educational purposes.

Florida1965 Law requires containers to be one of four sizes: 8, 12, 24 or 32 ounces only, prohibiting craft brewers from packaging in 22 ounce "bombers", 750ml bottles, or any number of European style bottles.

GeorgiaThe 1935 Law prohibiting the sale of beer having more than 6% ABV was repealed in 2004…Bans off-premises sales of alcohol on Sundays.

HawaiiUnderage purchase of alcohol is prohibited except for law enforcement purposes…Underage consumption of alcohol is not explicitly prohibited.

IdahoPossession of an unregistered, unlabeled keg is punishable by a maximum fine of $1,000 or prison for 6 months.

IllinoisA person commits a "social host offense" by renting a hotel or motel room for the purpose of or with the knowledge that such room be used for the consumption of alcoholic beverages by underage persons.

IndianaIt is illegal for liquor stores to sell milk or cold soft drinks. They can, however, sell soft drinks at room temperature….It is illegal to carry an alcoholic drink from the bar to a table - this can only be done by a waiter or waitress…Drinks "on the house" are illegal...Ban on off-premises sales of Alcohol on Sundays.

IowaIn Ames, Iowa, it is still illegal for men to have 3 sips of beer while they are in bed with their wives...It is illegal to "run a tab" in Iowa.

KansasBan on off-premises sales of Alcohol on Sundays…Underage consumption of alcohol is illegal except for cereal malt beverages (defined as any fermented but undistilled liquor brewed or made from malt or from a mixture of malt or malt substitute, but not including any such liquor which is more than 3.2 % ABW).

KentuckyIt is illegal to send a bottle of beer, wine, or spirits as a gift to anyone in Kentucky - this can result in a 5-year term in prison...Ban on off-premises sales of Alcohol on Sundays.

LouisianaUnderage possession of alcohol is illegal except when in a private residence, and furnished by a parent, guardian or legal aged spouse for one or more specified religious, educational, or medical purposes.

MaineIt is illegal to possess an unlabeled, unregistered keg - punishment is a maximum fine of $500 and/or time in prison. It is illegal to destroy the label on a keg, punishable by a maximum fine of $1,000 or 6 months in prison.

MarylandAlcohol beverage writers must be certified as experts by a state agency in order to be eligible to receive product samples. The beverage writer can only receive three bottles per brand.

MassachusettsIn Woburn, MA, it is illegal to walk around with a beer in your hand.

MichiganProhibited to serve alcohol on Christmas Day, including at restaurants serving holiday buffets...Local laws exist too - one town prohibits brewpubs from selling beer-to-go...It is illegal for a minor (person under 21) to give an alcoholic beverage as a gift to anyone, even if they are of legal drinking age...It is illegal to allow restaurant diners to take an unfinished bottle of any alcoholic beverage home with them.

MinnesotaIt is specifically NOT a crime to be inebriated in public...Ban on off-premises sales of Alcohol on Sundays.

MississippiA parent, guardian, or legal age spouse may furnish beer or wine to minors over the age of 18.

MissouriIn St. Louis, MO, it is illegal to sit on a street curb and drink beer from a bucket...It is illegal for any person under 21 to handle household trash with even one empty alcohol beverage container in it…In Natchez, MO, it is illegal to serve elephants beer or other alcoholic beverages.

MontanaIt is illegal to destroy the label on a keg, punishable by a maximum fine of $500 or 6 months in prison…A parent or guardian can furnish alcohol to a minor in a non-intoxicating amount for one or more specified religious, educational, or medical purposes.